Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities
of any given camera model. The images are altered only in
terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG
compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that
any marbling or artefacts visible in the images are due to
the compression required to display them here. We feel, however,
that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.
STILL LIFE PHOTO
This subject is photographed in a room that has
a mix of fluorescent and incandescent light, but which is not
brightly lit. The camera's flash is used to add fill light.
The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.
The RAW + JPEG format was used to capture all the photos
presented in this section. The RAW images were then opened
using Silkypix, a RAW image processing program that is included
with the DMC-FZ18's software, and saved using the non-lossy
TIFF image format.
Without any processing, the wide angle shot has a slightly
soft focus, but the focus is uniform from corner to corner
across the frame. And using the Auto white balance, the colours
appear quite accurate.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/30 sec.
Res.:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
On
Quality:
Non-lossy
ISO:
100
File
Size:
13.09 MB
Focal Length:
28 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Some graininess is detectable in
the image captured using the default settings of the camera,
but a bit of experimentation with the software reveals that
it can be mostly eliminated when the image is processed.
ZOOM PHOTO
Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent
is to test the sharpness of the image at the zoom's maximum
setting. The camera normally remains at the same distance
as with the preceding photo.
The powerful 18X zoom of the FZ18 allows capturing a small
section of the subject. As can be seen, the camera is able
to capture a excellent level of detail. The image shows clearly
the paper's fibres, as well as those of the drop cloth in
the background.
Colours are very realistic, and are consistent with those
recorded in the wide angle image shown above.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f4.2
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/125 sec.
Res.:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Non-lossy
ISO:
100
File Size:
13.07 MB
Focal Length:
504 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
Aperture: f4.5, shutter speed 1/200 sec., 100 ISO,
macro mode.
— wasp photographed through a window pane —
MACRO PHOTO
The AF Macro mode of the DMC-FZ18 makes it possible to focus
on a subject that is 1 cm (0.39 inch) from the front element
of the lens at the wide angle end. At the minimum distance,
the camera captures a field of view that is less than 4 cm
(1.56 in.) but providing light to the subject is quite difficult
as the lens causes a deep shadow. Moreover, at this minimum
distance, barrel distortion is quite pronounced. The FZ18
allows using the zoom while in macro mode, and usually the
images captured using a bit of zoom instead of being at the
nearest distance are better.
BUILDING PHOTO
This image is our outdoor test. The architecture
of the building, in particular the angled girders, immediately
show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also
often reveal the quality of the exposure.
When the RAW version of the image shown here, captured with
a harsh side light, is opened some noise can be discerned
when the image is seen at 100%. Similarly, a chromatic aberration
can be seen under the beams of the building's canopy.
Using either Silkypix, or Photoshop CS3, the noise can be
eliminated, as well as the chromatic aberration, highlighting
the value of a RAW mode for a camera such as this one.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/250 sec.
Resolution:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Non-lossy
ISO:
100
File Size:
13.08 MB
Focal Length:
28 mm (35 mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
The powerful zoom of the FZ8 makes it possible
to capture a small area of the entrance while remaining in
the same spot as for the wide angle shot presented above.
The maximum telephoto setting of the zoom allows the camera
to capture the handles of the entrance doors, and the little
sign in great detail. There is no detectable pincushion distortion,
nor is there any chromatic aberration. The exposure is also
excellent, revealing a great deal of detail inside the building.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f4.2
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/40 sec.
Resolution:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Non-lossy
ISO:
100
File Size:
13 MB
Focal Length:
504 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
Worth noting, the image is captured
at a relatively low shutter speed using the MEGA OIS image stabilizer
(mode 2), and the camera was handheld.
NIGHT PHOTO
This camera is capable of long exposures, and an image captured
late at night is presented to give an idea of its capabilities.
Aperture: f5.6; shutter
speed: 60 sec, 100 ISO.
A sixty second exposure with the Manual mode allows the camera
to record a very high level of detail that is invisible to
the human eye. Using the RAW mode, and the lowest sensitivity
of 100 ISO, the FZ18 yields an excellent image.
Although the results are very good without any tweaking,
the RAW format allows the photographer to extract all the
detail the CCD has captured, make fine adjustments to sharpness,
noise reduction and colour.
The DMC-FZ18 uses a dark frame noise reduction
system which has the effect of doubling the time required
to capture one long exposure. The system is effective, however,
and very little noise remains in the image after it has been
processed.
Test Photos
